Round 14: Hawkward!

Tim WilloughbyFriday, February 11, 2011

Luis Scott-Vargas (Caw-Go) vs. Kyle Stoll (Boros)

In Round 14, both Luis Scott-Vargas were in a position to push for a place in the Top 8. On 10-3 records, they would each have to win out to play for the trophy. By the end of the round, one of them would know that they were going to be playing in the Grand Prix on Saturday.

The planeswalker was killed by a Forked Bolt, but soon replaced by a second, and bounce before combat meant that Luis was able to force Stoll to discard that Steppe Lynx. When Luis started casting copies of Squadron Hawk, things looked bleak for Stoll, who had not been able to get quite the fast start he might have wanted. Gideon Jura joined Jace, and soon Stoll was scooping up his cards.

After a little thought, Kyle cast Koth of the Hammer, used a Lightning Bolt on LSV's only creature, and got stuck in to take LSV to 14. The planeswalker didn't last long, as Scott-Vargas could attack it with Celestial Colonnade, but Stoll didn't seem to mind. He followed up with Hero of Oxid Ridge, a card that Paul Rietzl (also playing Boros this weekend) had described as 'the new Ranger of Eos' for its ability to be a great topdeck in red/white decks.

LSV struck with Day of Judgment, before using Gideon Jura to attack Koth. Suddenly the fight back looked interesting. A full four copies of Squadron Hawk came down for Scott-Vargas in short order.

LSV: Among the least plussed people on the planet.

Kyle was in a desperate position. Needing just one damage, he cracked a fetch land to help thin his deck. He didn't draw a burn spell, but did find a Squadron Hawk, which in turn found three more. It didn't look that this would be enough though, as Gideon Jura remained a clear threat, and a Sylvok Lifestaff ensured that LSV would be able to gain some life back when Stoll's Hawks were forced to attack.

Stoll played Stoneforge Mystic and a Bonehoard, but could not do anything while Gideon was around with so much loyalty. The untapping of lands meant that Celestial Colonnade was also able to rush in for damage without crimping Scott-Vargas's mana. With each successive draw, Stolls position looked more uncomfortable, and LSV's attacks more devastating. The Boros deck had got perilously close, but it was Luis Scott-Vargas who closed it out.